# NTSB NYC84FNC05: Raven RX 6, N5568A, North Lebannon, ME, July 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1984, 20:00 local (Jul 3, 1984, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: North Lebannon, ME
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35415
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FNC05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35415/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FNC05

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing
  - proper descent rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire/explosion, landing

## Analysis

STUDENT BALLOON PILOT WAS ON THIRD SUPERVISED SOLO FLT WITH HIS FLT INSTRUCTOR ACTING AS MEMBER OF THE CHASE CREW. PLT WAS CONTROLLING DESCENT WITH SHORT BURSTS OF PROPANE BURNER.GROUND CONTACT WAS HARD ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE BALLOON SKIRT TO CONTINUE DOWNWARD MOTION TO THE GROUND. AS ENVELOPE REBOUNDED THE GONDOLA FILLED WITH PROPANE WHICH IGNITED. INSTRUCTOR ASSISTED PLT IN EVACUATING AS BALLOON BECAME AIRBORNE, ASCENDED TO APRX 1500 FT WITH GONDOLA IN FLAMES AND EXPLODED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5568A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5568A-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N RX6-366, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RAVEN RX 6
- Registry model: [Raven Industries RX6](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-industries-rx6) (registry code 7480502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Serial number: RX6-366
- Airframe hours: 186
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward Cardinali
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1984, 2 hours before
- Departed: SOUTH LEBANON, ME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; flight hours: 18 total, 14 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19840702033069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840702033069A), Jul 2, 1984: Raven RX6, North Lebannon, ME, Destroyed. Propane tank ruptured during hard landing causing fire that injured pilot and burned balloon.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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